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Friday, January 21, 2011

Why Do I Have Fibromyalgia?

If I could answer this question medically, I could retire to my own tropical island somewhere in the South Pacific. Unfortunately, I don't have those answers but I do have the spiritual answers as to why you and so many others struggle and suffer with chronic pain of all types.

There is great benefit for you in suffering this pain. God is in the midst of working wonderful changes in your heart and life. This should bring you hope.

As you deal with chronic pain God is revealing your spiritual character to those around you. I know a woman who has battled chronic pain for decades, been in and out of casts and wheelchairs, and could be disabled from her physical pain and restrictions. She fights every day to honor God by how she conducts herself. No matter what shape she is in physically she aims to demonstrate godly character in the midst of it. It is not that she never gets down or sad, because she does. It is that she doesn't stay there. No matter what befalls her, she is always speaking of God's faithfulness and her trust in Him. This is encouraging to others around her and helps her live on the side of victory despite her circumstances.

Do you remember Paul and his thorn in the flesh (2 Cor 12:7-9)? Paul asked the Lord three times to remove it and God said, "No." Paul came to understand that it was more important to God that he demonstrate God's grace in the midst of his pain than it was for him to be free from the pain. God used the thorn (whatever it was) to keep Paul from sinning. In Paul's case, it was the sin of pride he was being protected from. What could God be protecting you from through Fibromyalgia? When you think of your affliction in this light, isn't it something to truly thank God for?

Another reason you are suffering with Fibromyalgia could be the avenue of ministry it gives you in the lives of others. Suffering in a God-glorifying manner makes a tremendous impact on other people! It gives you a kind of credibility that non-sufferers do not have. Ministering to other people while in the midst of your own struggles is a powerful statement of the power of God. I have another friend who has a chronic illness and despite her own pain and trials with it she runs a support group for others. Through the group she is able to talk about the sufficiency of God to meet her needs, His power, abundant grace and how she makes it through each day. This kind of message brings hope to others who need to be motivated and who also need to see that someone really is living in spite of their physical pain. It is very significant to see other people serving and ministering in spite of their own troubles.

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About: Biblical Counseling for Women

Welcome to the blog! It is connected to my website by the same name (biblicalcounselingforwomen.org). I have been involved in Biblical Counseling and Discipleship for more than 20 years. I am passionate about the critical need for heart change in a person who desires change in their life.

I am the founder and Director of Reigning Grace Counseling Center (ACBC, IABC, AABC Certified Training Center) and Biblical Counseling for Women. I have been writing this blog on counseling issues women face since 2008.

My extensive training has led to certification with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (formerly NANC)), the American Association of Biblical Counselors (AABC), and the International Association of Biblical Counselors (IABC) where I function as the State Coordinator for Missouri. I am also on the Counsel Board for the Biblical Counseling Coalition.

I have authored numerous books and materials for biblical counseling, and co-authored a biblical counseling training course. I am also a featured contributor in GriefShare and a frequent retreat and conference speaker.

I make my home in Kansas City, Missouri. with my wonderful husband. Our 3 sons are grown, and until the grandbabies come I am content to spoil our sweet little Chihuahuas, Buddy and Bambi.

You can find information about my biblical counseling ministries at rgcconline.org, and biblicalcounselingforwomen.org

I know many women are searching for the key to real and lasting change in their lives. They are tired of the self-help approach which is nothing more than rearranging the flesh. They want to escape the cycle of habitual sin that enslaves them. They want something that will work. They want to live the victorious life they hear about on Sunday mornings but cannot seem to make a part of their daily reality.

I hope you will see that you no longer need to live as though you are still in bondage to sin- you are victorious in Christ and He has already set you free. That truth is not found in any self-help book, or in being better or trying harder, it is found through changes in the inner man, the immaterial part of you that the Bible refers to as the heart.

You will find my heart here, in progress. I make no claims that I have "arrived" but I post my thoughts, reflections, and part of my life for your growing.

Spend some time reading the blog, and leave a comment if you like. Just please note that I reserve the right to use your comments (without your name of course) in any future posting or material for publication. Don't forget to visit the websites! I trust you will be blessed.

Reigning Grace Counseling Center

biblicalcounselingforwomen

Materials

To help you in growing and changing in the ways I write about here on the blog, I have posted the titles of the books and materials I have written. You may decide to acquire some of these materials to help you, or for you to use to help others. All of these materials are published by Pure Water Press and available through Amazon